"It's a combination of an automated process with manual cleaning or disinfection,” Dr. Rivera explained.

The VA’s public affairs office said Wednesday in a brief statement that the employee in charge of the endoscope cleaning procedures had been relieved of their duties.

Channel 2 wanted to know how and when patients were going to be notified, but the public affairs director did not return phone calls.

"These endoscopes are designed to go into patients’ bodies. They come into contact with mucus membranes, and there are a number of bacteria and viruses that the endoscope may be coming in contact with,” Dr. Rivera said.

While that may sound scary, he said the likelihood of infection is extremely low.

Still, Frank finds what happened disappointing.

"I think myself and all of my other brothers and sisters deserve clean instruments. I don't think that's a lot to ask,” he said.

Dr. Rivera reminds people that colonoscopies help prevent cancer or catch it early enough to treat, and he emphasized that this shouldn’t deter people from taking care of their health.